Lesson on Sonnets by Christine Rodriguez

1. Sonnets ~
Poetry of beauty…
Click here to go to next screen…

2. How does this work?
Go through this at your own pace.
Be sure you understand all of the information before you move on.
If at anytime you need to go back, use the mouse & click on
To move to the next screen, use the mouse to click on
HAVE FUN WITH THIS…YOU’LL LOVE IT!

3. What is the purpose & goal
of this lesson?
PURPOSE:
To learn about the styles, rhyme scheme, meter
and format of various types of sonnets.
GOAL:
At the completion of this lesson,
you will be able to do some really great stuff!
You will be able to recognize and identify
the styles, rhyme scheme and format of
Shakespearean, Spenserian and Petrarchan sonnets.

4. Why do I have to learn
this stuff anyway???
IT’S SIMPLE, REALLY!
Sonnets are really romantic
and evoke many emotions!
And there are a lot of styles and/or references to
Renaissance sonnets in today’s culture and society,
like our music!!!
HERE WE GO….

5. Our first objective is to learn what a sonnet
is and how many lines of verse it contains.
REMEMBER…
YOU CAN DO THIS!!!
I BELIEVE IN YOU!!!!

6. Sonnet means “little song.”
It has 14 lines of rhymed verse…so,
in essence, it really is a little song!
Those 14 lines, however, are arranged
in different ways…depending on the
type of sonnet.

7. The 14 lines of a SONNET can be arranged
in these combinations:
3 quatrains and a couplet
OR
an octave and sestet.
Let’s go to the next slide to see what this all means…

8. A QUATRAIN has 4 lines
(See??? The root QUAT means FOUR)
A COUPLET is 2 lines
(Get it??? A COUPLE is made of TWO)
An OCTAVE is 8 lines
(Remember, an OCTopus has EIGHT legs)
A SESTET has 6 lines
(SES is the root word for SIX)
It’s all making a little more sense, right?

9. NOW… Let’s do the math!
(I bet you didn’t know you could use those math
skills here in English class, too. Woohoo!)
Sonnets can have 3 quatrains (4 lines) and a couplet (2 lines).
THAT IS 3 x 4 +2
And that equals 14 !!!
OR they can have an octave (8 lines) and one sestet (6 lines).
WHICH IS 8 + 6
And that equals…
You guessed it ~ 14 !!!

10. Are you ready to test your knowledge?
If you are unsure, you can go back to the previous screen(s)
and review one more time.
If you feel you are ready, move on to the next screen.

11. Directions: Read the question carefully, then choose the
best answer, then click on the arrow
that indicates your choice.
Which is NOT a possible combination of lines in a sonnet?
an octave and a sestet
an octave and a couplet
three quatrains and a couplet

12. An octave (8 lines) and a couplet (2 lines)
would only equal 10 lines…
And we know a sonnet contains 14!
Now that you have mastered this, let’s move on…

13. Sorry, you are incorrect.
It’s OK … let’s try again.
HERE’S A HINT:
Remember, the combination of lines
in a sonnet must equal 14.
Click here to go back to the question.

14. Are current artists influenced by
sonnets?
ABSOLUTELY!
Did you know that sonnets were the
Renaissance’s form of hip-hop???

15. Your next objective is to define
iambic pentameter
and be able to recognize it in lines of sonnets.
I know this sounds like crazy talk,
but I know you can do it!
HERE WE GO…

16. WHAT IS IAMBIC PENTAMETER?
Firstly, it is pronounced:
EYE-AM-BICK PEN-TAM-EH-TER
Basically, iambic pentameter is a line of poetry
that is 10 syllables long!

17. All sonnets are written in IAMBIC PENTAMETER!
This means that each of the 14 lines in a sonnet
have EXACTLY 10 syllables!
Impressive, huh????
Here is an example…
Count the number of syllables in your head:
"I waked, she fled, and day brought back my night."

18. Remember that I told you that artists today
use the concepts of sonnets?
Well, here is another example of iambic pentameter
that you may be more familiar with…
Count the number of syllables in your head:
“Two trailer park girls go round the outside.”
Yes, that was from Eminem’s “Shady’s Back!”
See how it followed the format of iambic pentameter’s
10 syllables per line???
COOL STUFF, HUH!?!?!

19. That is the second thing you have learned about sonnets!
Sonnets are 14-lined poems
written in 10 syllables per line!
Are you ready for another question?
If so, go to the next screen…
If not, you can go back and review.
YOU CAN DO IT!

20. Directions: Read the question carefully, choose the best answer,
then click on the arrow that indicates your choice.
Which of the following lines is NOT written in
IAMBIC PENTAMETER?
My lover’s eyes are of the deepest blue
Filled with sad tales of true love once denied.
All shaded and shadowed with different hues
Of desire once free that’s now confined.

21. You hit the nail on the head!
“All shaded and shadowed with different hues”
had 11 syllables!
You knew that a line written in iambic pentameter
had 10 syllables!
Let’s move on…

22. Incorrect…
TRY AGAIN…
Here’s a hint:
Iambic pentameter is 10 syllables in a line of poetry!
Click here to go back to the question.

23. Mrs. Rodriguez…
This isn’t too bad!
I’m liking it!.
I know…
Isn’t this good stuff??

24. Here is your new objective:
You will be able to recognize the rhyme scheme
and characteristics of a Shakespearean sonnet.
Shakespeare was the “G” of the Renaissance…
Kind of like a modern-day Dr. Dre´
LET’S CHECK IT OUT…

25. Shakespeare, like I said, was a “G.”
He wrote over 150 sonnets!
Other than being written in fourteen lines
and in iambic pentameter,
his sonnets had other characteristics
that made them unique.
Let’s see what they are…

26. Shakespearean sonnets are known as English sonnets
and are made up of
3 QUATRAINS AND A COUPLET…
And a Shakespearean sonnet has a unique
rhyme scheme.
Rhyme scheme is the pattern of end rhyme in a poem.
It is charted by assigning a letter of the alphabet,
beginning with the letter A, to each line.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN? WELL, LET’S SEE…

27. Check out the poem below.
Look closely to the last word in each line.
See how they match with other end words?
Shakespeare Sonnet 55
Not marble, nor the gilded monuments A
Of princes, shall outlive this powerful rhyme; B
But you shall shine more bright in these contents A
Than unswept stone besmear'd with sluttish time. B
When wasteful war shall statues overturn, C
And broils root out the work of masonry, D
Nor Mars his sword nor war's quick fire shall burn C
The living record of your memory. D
'Gainst death and all-oblivious enmity E
Shall you pace forth; your praise shall still find room F
Even in the eyes of all posterity E
That wear this world out to the ending doom. F
So, till the judgment that yourself arise, G
You live in this, and dwell in lover’s eyes. G

28. Now look at this poem…
This is not actually written by Shakespeare.
One of my students from last year composed this:
There are times I look at you and I see,
All our fights and times of unhappiness,
At times I see love between you and me,
and them I wonder what caused such a mess.
I love you more than you will ever know,
You took my heart and opened up my eyes,
You helped me to put away my sorrow,
Your love helped me to spread my wings and fly.
If you only knew how you make me feel,
You stole my heart and I gave you my soul,
Wrapped in your arms it feels so surreal,
It is this love that makes my life feel full.
I now know how it feels to be in love,
You are my angel sent from high above.
Do you see why it can still be considered a Shakespearean sonnet, even
though it was written by one of your peers just last year?

29. Did you recognize that Shakespearean sonnets
have a rhyme scheme of
ABABCDCDEFEFGG?
Did you also notice that these letters show
that there are 3 quatrains
ABAB ~ CDCD ~ EFEF
and one couplet
GG?
What about the iambic pentameter?
Did you see how all lines consisted of 10 syllables?
FEEL FREE TO PRESS THE BACK ARROW
TO LOOK AT IT AGAIN

30. Are you ready for a question to test your skill?
Feel free to take a moment to review the characteristics
of a Shakespearean sonnet one more time.
Just go back to the previous slides…
If not, you can move on.
EITHER WAY, YOU CAN DO THIS!

31. Directions: Read the question carefully, choose the best answer,
then click on the arrow that indicates your choice.
Which best describes the characteristics of a
Shakespearean sonnet?
An English sonnet with an ABABBCBCCDCDEE rhyme
scheme
A English sonnet with 3 quatrains & and couplet
with an ABABCDCDEFEFGG rhyme scheme
An English sonnet with an octave and a sestet
and an ABABCDCDEFEFGG rhyme scheme
An English sonnet with an ABABCDCDFFFFGG rhyme
scheme

32. CORRECT!
A Shakespearean sonnet is an
English sonnet that has
3 quatrains and a couplet,
and it also has an
ABABCDCDEFEFGG
rhyme scheme!
Let’s go to the next slide…

33. Sorry, you are incorrect…
THINK AND TRY AGAIN…
To go back to the beginning of the
Shakespearean section to review, click here
Click here to go right back to the question.

34. You are doing great so far,
so let’s move on!
I’M SO IMPRESSED…
Your next objective is:
You will be able to recognize the rhyme scheme
and characteristics of a sonnet by Spenser,
another English poet.

35. Spenserian sonnets are also known as English sonnets.
They, too, are made up of
3 QUATRAINS AND A COUPLET
and written in iambic pentameter…
Spenser, however, took Shakespeare’s type of sonnet
and added his own flair.

36. His rhyme scheme was a little different.
It was ABABBCBCCDCDEE.
As you can see, this sonnet was probably
more difficult to write.
See the 4 B’s and 3 C’s?
That means he had to find four words that rhymed
together that still made sense and went with the flow of
the poem!
Definitely not an easy task!

37. Check out the poem below.
Look closely to the last word in each line. See the difference?
Sonnet by Spenser
Of this worlds theatre in which we stay,
stay A
My love like the spectator idly sits B
Beholding me that all the pageants play,
play A
Disguising diversely my troubled wits.
wits B
Sometimes I joy when glad occasion fits,fits B
And mask in mirth like to a comedy:
comedy C
Soon after when my joy to sorrow flits,
flits B
I wail and make my woes a tragedy.
tragedy C
Yet she, beholding me with constant eye,eye C
Delights not in my mirth nor rues my smart:
smart D
But when I laugh she mocks, and when I cry C
She laughs and hardens evermore her heart. heart D
What then can move her? If nor mirth nor moan, moan E
She is no woman, but a senseless stone.
stone E

38. Take a gander at this poem.
Even though it was not written by Edmund Spenser,
it is still considered a Spenserian poem!
To be in heaven for one more moment A
With my sweetest angel of desire. B
To be fused in his wings on an ascent A
From reality and earthly ire. B
I long to flee the eternal fire B
That blazes and combusts deep within me…. C
And get lost in his orbs of sapphire B
And find my wand’ring soul where it should be- C
On a still cloud on the edge of the sea C
Where I escape the cold, incessant rain… D
A place where I can finally run free, C
Where passion and unconditional love reigns. D
How I long to lie in my paradise E
With my wondrous angel, my guiding light. E
Do you see the rhyme scheme, iambic pentameter, the 3 quatrains and the couplet?
By the way, guess who wrote this?
Yep, that would be me!

39. Did you recognize that Spenserian sonnets
have a rhyme scheme of
ABABBCBCCDCDEE?
Did you also notice that these letters show
that there are 3 quatrains
ABAB ~ BCBC ~ CDCD
and one couplet
EE?
What about the iambic pentameter?
Did you see how all lines consisted of 10 syllables?
FEEL FREE TO PRESS THE BACK ARROW TO LOOK AT IT
AGAIN IF YOU NEED TO… BECAUSE
WE ARE READY FOR ANOTHER SKILLS QUESTION!

40. Directions: Read the question carefully, choose the best answer,
then click on the arrow that indicates your choice.
Which best describes the characteristics of a
Spenserian sonnet?
An English sonnet with 3 quatrains and a couplet and
ABABBCBCCDCDEE rhyme scheme
A English sonnet with 3 quatrains & and couplet
with an ABABCDCDEFEFGG rhyme scheme
An English sonnet with an octave and a sestet
and an ABABCDCDEFEFGG rhyme scheme
An English sonnet with an ABABCDCDEEFFGG rhyme
scheme

41. CORRECT!
A Spenserian sonnet is an English
sonnet that has
3 quatrains and a couplet,
and it also has an
ABABBCBCCDCDEE
rhyme scheme!
Let’s go to the next slide…

42. Sorry, you are incorrect…
WHY DON’T YOU TRY AGAIN?
To go back to the beginning of the
Spenserian section to review, click here
Click here to go right back to the question.

43. Guys~
Did you know that the quickest way to a girl’s heart is
through poetry?
Girls~
You need to learn this too…so when a guy starts
reciting these rhymes to you, you will know all the
ways they love you and find you amazing.
Another one of our objectives is for you to recognize the
rhyme scheme and characteristics of a sonnet by
Petrarch, an Italian poet.

44. Petrarchan sonnets are Italian sonnets because
Francesco Petrarch, an Italian poet,
modified the English sonnet and created his own.
It is different from the English sonnet because it contains
1 OCTAVE and 1 SESTET
It is, however, still written in iambic pentameter…
Wait until you see the rhyme scheme for this one….

45. This rhyme scheme is very different!
Doth any maiden seek the glorious fame A
Of chastity, of strength, of courtesy? B
Gaze in the eyes of that sweet enemy B
Whom all the world doth as my lady name! A
How honor grows, and pure devotion's flame, A
How truth is joined with graceful dignity, B
There thou may'st learn, and what the path may be B
To that high heaven which doth her spirit claim; A
There learn soft speech, beyond all poet's skill, C
And softer silence, and those holy ways D
Unutterable, untold by human heart. E
But the infinite beauty that all eyes doth fill, C
This none can copy! since its lovely rays D
Are given by God's pure grace, and not by art. E
See how this could also be very difficult to write?

46. Did you recognize that Petrarchan sonnets
have a completely different rhyme scheme of
ABBAABBACDECDE?
Did you also notice that these letters show that there is
one octave (8 lines)
ABBAABBA
and one sestet (6 lines)
CDECDE?
What about the iambic pentameter?
Did you notice that some lines did not have exactly ten syllables?
The sonnet was written in iambic pentameter in the Italian
language, but when it was translated into English, it did not
maintain the exact syllable count.
HERE IS ANOTHER EXAMPLE TO HELP YOU…

47. Maybe you will understand it more if I share this sonnet with you.
I am sure you have heard of it…
It is an amazing sonnet!
How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. A
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height B
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight B
For the ends of Being and ideal Grace. A
I love thee to the level of every day's A
Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light. B
I love thee freely, as men strive for Right; B
I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise. A
I love thee with a passion put to use C
In my old grief, and with my childhood's faith. D
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose E
With my lost saints, --- I love thee with the breath, C
Smiles, tears, of all my life! --- and, if God choose, D
I shall but love thee better after death. E
Though this is by Elizabeth Barrett Browning,
it is still considered to be a Petrarchan sonnet.
Do you see why?

48. Did you see the rhyme scheme of
ABBAABBACDECDE?
And did you just melt reading it???
I told you that this was romantic stuff,
ladies and gentlemen…
Now…are you ready for a skills question?
If so, move forward.
If not, you can go back and take a better look.
Remember, you can do this!

49. Directions: Read the question carefully, choose the best answer,
YOU MUST click on the arrow that indicates your choice.
Which of the following best describes the characteristics of
a Petrarchan sonnet, based on what you learned today?
An English sonnet with 3 quatrains and a couplet and
ABABBCBCCDCDEE rhyme scheme
A Italian sonnet with 3 quatrains & and couplet
with an ABABCDCDEFEFGG rhyme scheme
An Italian sonnet with an octave and a sestet
and an ABBAABBACDECDE rhyme scheme
An Italian sonnet with an ABBAACCACDECDE rhyme
scheme with an octave and a sestet

50. RIGHT!
A Petrarchan sonnet is an Italian
sonnet that has 1
octave and a sestet and
also has an ABBAABBACDECDE
rhyme scheme!
Let’s go to the next slide…

51. Incorrect…
LET’S TRY AGAIN…
Here is a hint:
Petrarchan sonnets are vastly different from
Shakespearean and Spenserian sonnets.
To go back to the beginning of the
Petrarchan section to review, click here
Click here to go right back to the question.

52. You are doing an incredible job!
Your last objective for today is:
You will be able to differentiate between
denotation and connotation and will use these
skills, as well as previously learned skills, to
interpret sonnets.
I mean, what is the point of knowing all about
sonnets if you cannot figure out what they mean…
Right?!?!?!
Here we go…

53. Connotation is another common trait
in all three types of sonnets
I am sure you are asking,
“What is connotation anyway?”
Connotation refers to the the attitude or
emotion associated with a word.

54. Connotation is the opposite of denotation
because denotation is the literal definition of
a word.
For example, in your first exercise, you read these lines:
My lover’s eyes are of the deepest blue
Filled with sad tales of true love once denied.
All shaded and shadowed with different hues
Of desire once free that’s now confined
The word “blue” refers to a color,
an example of denotation…
but “blue” also means sad,
an example of connotation.

55. Here is another example of
denotation vs connotation:
As we all know, this is the American flag.
The denotation for this word is a rectangular piece
of colorful material that signifies the country in which we live .
The connotation, however, would represent emotion.
Therefore, in poetry, “American flag” may mean
pride, liberty, unity, strength and freedom.
Before you move on to your skills question, feel free to go back
and review. If not, you can move on…

56. Directions: Read the passage and question carefully, choose the best
answer, then click on the arrow that indicates your choice.
To gaze into his eyes and not see pain
But to see an image of a white dove
To grant me hope that passion will sustain
And give flight to our clipped wings of love
Which word is the best example of connotation NOT denotation?
“Passion” because it means intense emotion.
“Pain” because it is a disagreeable sensation
“Dove” because it represents love, purity and marriage.
“Eyes” because it represents vision and perspective.

57. CORRECT!
‘Dove” was the best example of
connotation because it was the only
word that was a representation of an
emotion, not an actual definition.
Let’s go to the next slide…

58. Sorry, you are incorrect…
WHY DON’T YOU TRY AGAIN?
To go back to the beginning of this section to review,
click here
Click here to go right back to the question.

59. Before we move on to the review and
your assessment,
I wanted to tell you that you all are the best!
You made me proud today,
just like you do every day!
WAY TO GO!
Let’s go to the review….

60. How do the sonnets compare/contrast?
Let me count the ways!
Shakespearean Sonnet Spenserian Sonnet
Rhyme Scheme: •Composed of 3 quatrains & Rhyme Scheme:
A 1 couplet A
B B
A •Known as English sonnets A
B B
C B
D C
C • Written in iambic pentameter B
D C
E (10 syllables per line) C
F D
E •Contains 14 lines C
F D
G •Contains connotation E
G E
•Composed of an octave and sestet
•Known as an Italian sonnet
Rhyme Scheme:
ABBAABBACDECDE
Petrarchan Sonnet

61. That’s it…
You are done!
You can come up and turn in your CD,
then get your test!
Remember, if you ever need to see this review again,
you can find it on our class website!